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Orioles Trade Catcher Alex Jackson to Twins for Prospect Payton Eeles

Baltimore leverages arbitration pressure to swap a surplus catcher for versatile infield depth.

Overview

  • Minnesota designated outfielder DaShawn Keirsey Jr. for assignment to open a 40-man roster spot for Jackson.
  • Because Eeles was not on Minnesota’s 40-man roster, Baltimore’s count sits at 39 after the deal.
  • Jackson, 29, was arbitration eligible and projected to earn about $1.8 million for 2026, with limited opportunity behind Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo.
  • Eeles, an undrafted Coastal Carolina product, plays second base, shortstop and left field, and posted a .919 OPS with 20 steals in Triple-A in 2024.
  • After knee surgery delayed his 2025 start, Eeles hit .253/.379/.321 (.701 OPS) in 86 games for Triple-A St. Paul, and the Twins also avoided arbitration with reliever Justin Topa on a one-year deal.